Drawer follower



Sept. 16, 1941. H. w. REGENHARDT DRAWER FOLLOWER 2 Sheets-Sheet l M 9: INVENTORJ Mm Filed March 2'7, 1939 ATTORNEY Sept. 16, 1941. H. w. REGENHARDT DRAWER FOLLOWER Filed March 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 16, 1941 DRAWER FOLLOWER Hans W. Regenhardt, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Steel Storage File'Company, Cleveland,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationMarch 21, 1939, Serial No. 264,397.

' 20 Claims. (01. 1212-31) The present invention relates'to filing cabinets and more particularly to filing cabinets employing a drawer and a follower which latter is adjustable longitudinally of the drawer.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved filing drawer and follower therefor in which the follower is provided with abutments extending laterally from opposite sides of the back of the follower and which abutments are arranged to engage and bind with abutments on the drawer when the upper end of the follower back is tilted rearwardly.

In carrying out the above object, it-is another object of the present invention to form one of the abutments, preferably the rearwardly extending abutment on the follower, of resilient friction material such as rubber.

Preferably two forwardly extending abutments are disposed on opposite sides of the back of the follower. These abutments face upwardly to engage and bind with overhanging and downwardly facing abutments on the sides of thedrawer;

It is a further object of the invention to carry these abutments of the follower by, or form the same of, flexible resilient material so that these abutments can be flexed to pass the overhanging abutments of the drawer for the ready insertion or removal of the follower.

It is a further object of the invention to form the walls or abutment members, or both, of flexible, resilient material and to provide cams. associated with the walls or abutments for causing sideward movement of the flexible members when the follower is moved in a vertical direction so that the abutments will be flexed to pass one another for the ready insertion and removal of the follower.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drawer and follower showing the follower in one of its file backing positions;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on a larger scale, taken on line 2-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the drawer and follower shown in Fig. 1, part thereof being broken away to more clearly illustrate one of the features of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a full size fragmentary sectional view,

a front wall 28.

taken on line4-4 of Fig. 3, part thereof being ,24 and 25.

broken away tomore clearly illustrate one of the features of the invention;

. Fig. 5 is a full size fragmentary view of one side of the follower, showing an abutment and camming member in elevation; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line B6 of Fig. 5 and showing, in fragmentary section, a part of the drawer, the follower being shown partly withdrawn from the drawer.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a drawer 2|) of a filing cabinet specifically formed for carrying papers on edge. The papers are held in position by an adjustable follower 2|. The drawer 20 includes a bottom wall 22, confronting side walls 24 and 25, a back wall 26 and Preferably the walls of the drawer are formed of sheet material, and the bottom wall 22, and the side walls 24 and 25 may be integral. The front wall is provided with a pull 29.

The walls of the drawer provide a plurality of abutments adapted to be engaged by and bind with abutments on the follower. The top side or floor of the bottom wall is utilized. as one of the abutments and is herein referred to as the upwardly facing abutment. The upper parts of the side walls provide downwardly facing abutments or shoulders 30. These abutments 30 are formed by bending the side walls sidewise, preferably inwardly. The sheet metal, from which the side walls are formed, is bent downwardly to form a hem 32 at the upper part of each side wall. The

hems 32 are spaced slightly from the inside of the side walls and cooperate with the side walls to form retainers or pockets for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

The follower,2l includes a sheet metal back 34 which extends transversely of the side walls Rearwardly extending 'reenforcing wings 35 are formed integrally with the back 34 and are disposed at the opposite side edges thereof. integrally with the back 34 and carries a plurality of resilient and-flexible members and are herein shown as rubber buttons 38. These buttons 38 form downwardly facing abutments which are adapted to engage and bind with the fioor of the drawer.

The follower 2| also includes forwardly extending abutments 40 arranged to engage and bind with the abutments 30. Since the abutments or shoulders 30 extend inwardly, the abutments 40 I are disposed between the side walls 24 and 25. Abutments 40 are in the form of resilient, flexible, sheet metal arms 4| and each is suitably A rearwardly extending shoe 36 is formed secured. as by spot welding, to a wing 3| of the as the follower is forcedi-idowiiwardly the follower 2| 32 and cams 43 cause 4| to he; Each arm 4| includes a rec ansularly shaped to pass the hems 32. When the followeriis mmasection 42, which is secured to a wing 3l,'a forwardly extending section 43 and an intercom Section 44 is bulged outnecting section 44. wardly to form an upper cam 44 and a, lower cam 44. The bulged section 44 offsets outwardly the section 43 with respect to section 42. The upper portion 41 of section 43 is bent outwardly at an angle extending upwardly and rearwardly and approximately at an angle of ten degrees from the upper edge of portion 41. This bend is indicated at 43. It extends rearwardly to the upper edge of portion 41 and provides a camming surface 49 which merges with the upper cam 45 of bulged section 44. The lower portion of section 43 lies in the plane of the hem 32 so that papers of a width equal to the distance beteen the opposite hems can be placed flat against the follower back 34. The outset upper portion 41 of the section .43 is disposed between the hem 32 and the adjacent side wall of the drawer and frictionally engages the inside of the side wall. The upper portion 41 is narrow and therefore only a small portion of the section 43 frlctionally engages the inside of the side wall.

When files or papers rest against the front of the back 34, they tend to push the follower 2| rearwardly, however, the buttons 33 resist rearward movement of the follower and the follower will tend to pivot about thebuttcns a whereby abutments 40 will be raised and bind with abutments 30. Preferably, after the follower 2| is placed in the desired position, the top of back 34 is pushed rearwardly manually. This will compress the rubber buttons 34 and when the top of back 34 is released, the resilient rubber will hold the abutments 40 against abutments 30. It will of course be understood that when the bottom of back 34 is pulled forwardly manually, the buttons 33 can be compressed in a like manner.

To release the follower to pull forwardly on the the entire follower 2| can forwardly or rearwardly. lower in a released position. To reset the follower, it is necessary only to either push rearwardly on the top or push forwardly on the bottom of back 34, as previously described. The frictional engagement of arms 4| with the side walls 24 and assists in holding the follower in position.

The follower 2| is readily removed from or inserted into the drawer 20. To remove the follower, its upper end is moved forwardly, manually to the position shown in Fig. 3 in which the free end of arms 4| clear the hem 32. Then the follower 2| is pulled upwardly and the cams 45 will engage the hems 32 as shown in Fig. 6 and further upward movement of the follower 2| will cause the hems 32 and side walls 24 and 25 to be cammed outwardly. The cams 49, formed by the intersecting material between the rises 48 and the portion 41 will cause the hems top of back 34. Then be moved readily either Fig. 3 shows the foland walls to cam the arms inwardly to pass the hems after which the follower may be removed from the drawer.

To insert the follower 2| in the drawer, the follower is placed in a vertical position with the lower part of the follower between the walls and transversely thereof and then forced downwardly into the drawer. The lower cams 46 will engageithe hems 32 causing the hems and side walls 24 and 25 to be cammed outwardl and 2|, it is necessary only to this position i."- e. the hems 32, the f the follower has been moved downwardly sumciently, so that the cams 45 permit the side walls to return to their normal positions, the free ends of the arms will be in position to be received by the retainers orpockets, formed by the hems 32 and side walls 24 and 25. Thus it is apparent that to insert the follower, it isnecessary only to insert, the follower to a position in which the bottom drawer and then tilt the same rearwardly so that the upper portions 41 of sections 43 move into the retaining pockets formed by the hems.

It is apparent from the foregoing that I have provided an inexpensive and sturdy follower which securely holds files and papers in position and which can be readily removed from or inserted into a drawer.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said walls having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a back disposed transversely of the side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment extending laterally from one side of the back and. a downwardly facing abutment extending laterally from the opposite side of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement of the upwardly and downwardly'facing abutments of the follower with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer, respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly; one of said abutments comprising a resilient friction member.

2. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said walls having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a back dis posed transversely of the side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment extending laterally from one side of the back and a downwardly facing abutment extending laterally from the opposite side of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement of the upwardly and downwardly facing abutments of .the follower with the downwardly and upwardly ment extending rearwardly of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement of the when the arms 4|iclea'r; eeends thereof due to the resiliency thereof, move outwardly. After end thereof engages the floor ofthe -posed rearwardly therefrom upwardly and downwardly facing abutments of the follower with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer, respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly} one of said abutments comprising a V resilient friction member.

4. In.combination, a filing drawer having, a

of said walls having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly bottom wall and confronting side walls, onefacing abutment; a follower including a back disposed transversely of the side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment tilted rearwardly, said downwardly facing abutmerit of the follower comprising a resilient friction member.

5. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said side walls having a shoulder forming an abutment; a follower disposed between the side walls, said follower including a resilient member disposed rearwardly therefrom and frictionally engageable with the bottom wall of the drawer, and including a forwardly extending shoulder disposed to engage the abutment.

6. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, each of said side walls having a shoulder forming an abutment;'a follower disposed between the side walls, said follower including a resilient member disposed rearwardly therefrom and frictionally engageable with the bottom wall of the drawer, and including forwardly extending shoulders on op,- posite sides thereof and disposed to engage the abutments. j y

'7. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said side walls having an inwardly extending and downwardly facing shoulder-forming an abutment; a follower disposed between the side walls, said follower including a resilient member disposed rearwardly therefrom and frictionallyengageable with the bottom wall of the drawer, and including a forwardly extending and upwardly facing shoulder disposed to engage the abutment.

8. In combination, a filing drawer having a bot- I tom wall and confronting side walls, each of said side walls having an,inwardly extending and,

downwardly facing shoulder forming an abutment; a follower disposed between the side walls, said follower including a resilient member ,disand frictionally engageable with the bottom wall of the drawer, and including forwardly extending and upwardly facing shoulders disposed to engage the abutments.

9. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said walls having a laterally extending and downwardly facing abutment, one, of said walls hav-' ing an upwardly facing abutment; a follower fileback disposed between the side walls, said fileback having a resilient and flexible arm extending laterally therefrom and forming an upwardly facing abutment engageable with the downwardly facing abutment of the drawer, said file-back having a laterally extending abutment facing downwardly and engageable with the upwardly ments comprising a resilient friction member yieldable vertically.

10. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, each of said side walls having a laterally extending and downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower file-back disposed between the side walls, said file-back having resilient and flexible arms on opposite sides thereof, said arms extending laterally from the file back and each forming an upwardly facing abutment engageable with the corresponding downwardly facing abutment of the drawer, said file-back having a laterally ex--,

tending abutment facing downwardly and en v gageable with the upwardly facing abutment of the drawer; one of said abutments comprising a resilient friction member yieldable vertically.

v 11. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said walls having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a back disposed transversely of the side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment extending laterally from one side of the back and a downwardly. facing abutment extending laterally from the opposite side of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly; a cam actuated by the back for causing sideward movement. of one of the abutments when the back is moved in a vertical direction.

12. In combination, a filing drawer having:

bottom wall and confronting side walls, one.

said walls having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a'back disposed transversely of the side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment extending laterally from one side of the back and a downwardly facing abutment extending laterally from the opposite side of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly; a pair of cams actuated by the back for causing sideward movement of one of the abutments, one of said cams causing movement of the abutment when the back is moved in an upward direction and the other of said cams causing movement of the abutment when the back is moved in a downward direction.

13. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said walls havin a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a back disposed-transversely of the side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment extending laterally from one side of the back and a downwardly facing abutment extending laterally from the opposite side of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly; cam means carried by one of the abutments for causing sideward movement of one facing abutment of the drawer; one of said abutsaid walls having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a back disposed transversely of the'side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment extending laterally from one side of the back and a downwardly facing abutment extending laterally from the opposite side of the back, said abutment being disposed for engagement with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly; cam means carried by the laterally extending and upwardly facing abutment to cause sideward movement of one of the abutments when the follower is moved in a vertical direction.

15. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and members forming confronting side walls, one of said walls having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a back disposed transversely of the side walls and between the same and including a member extending laterally from one side of the back and forming an upwardly facing abutment; a member extending laterally from the opposite side of the back and forming a downwardly facing abutment, one of said members being formed of flexible, resilient material; said abutments being disposed to engage the downwardly facing abutment and upwardly facing abutmentof the drawer, respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly: a cam actuated by the back for causing sideward movement of the flexible, resilient member when the back is moved in a vertical direction.

16. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said side walls being formed of flexible, resilient material and having a downwardly facing abutment, one of said walls having an upwardly facing abutment; a follower including a back disposed transversely of the side walls and between the same, an upwardly facing abutment extending laterally from one side of the back and a downwardly facing abutment extending laterally from the opposite side of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly; a cam carried by the back and disposed to cause sideward movement of the flexible wall and its associated abutment when the back is moved in a vertical direction.

1'7. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting, rearwardly extending side walls, the upper parts of each of said side walls having an inwardly extending portion forming a downwardly facing abutment and a down- 6 wardly extending portion to form an inverted channel; and a follower, including a back, disoffset outwardly from the posed transversely of the side walls, an abutment member extending forwardly from each side-of tion forming a downwardly facing abutment and a downwardly extending portion to form an inverted channel; and a follower, including a back, disposed transversely of the side walls, a sheet metal abutment member extending forwardly from each side of the back, said abutment members being formed with sections oifset'outwardly from the sides of the back and extending into said channels, said offset section engaging with the downwardly facing abutments when the back is inserted between the side walls and tilted rearwardly, said ofisets engaging and flexing the side walls when the follower is moved vertically.

19. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and flexible, confronting, rearwardly extending side walls, the upper parts of each of said side walls having inwardly extending portions forming downwardly facing abutments and a downwardly extending portion to form an inverted channel; and a follower, including a back, disposed transversely of the side walls, a sheet metal abutment member extending forwardly from a side of the back; said member having a surface offset outwardly from the side of the back for forming a cam for engaging one of the side walls when the back is moved vertically for flexing the side walls, and a surface of the'member first mentioned surface, the second mentioned surface engaging the downwardly facing abutment of one of the side walls when the back is inserted and tilted rearwardly.

20. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall and confronting side walls, one of said walls having forwardly and a downwardly facing abutment extending rearwardly of the back, said abutments being disposed for engagement of the upwardly and downwardly facing abutments of the follower with the downwardly and upwardly facing abutments of the drawer, respectively, when the upper end of the follower is tilted rearwardly; at

0 least one of said abutments comprising a resilient member yieldable vertically.

' HANS W. REGENHARDT.

a downwardly facing abutment, 

